From September 22 to 27, 2024, the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly took place. This year’s discussions focused on the theme "Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations." Morocco made Africa's voice heard on this occasion, as the Kingdom does in other international forums. Insights from Yassine El Yattioui, expert in international relations and diplomacy, and Secretary General of the Moroccan Center for Research on Globalization (NejMaroc).
What are your takeaways from Morocco's participation in the High-Level Week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly?
During this session, Morocco took strategic positions on several global issues. For example, the Kingdom presented its initiatives to combat climate change, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy, with projects such as the Noor Solar Complex in Ouarzazate, one of the largest in the world. In terms of security, Morocco reiterated its commitment to fighting terrorism in Africa, as illustrated by its key role in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), where it serves as co-chair. The meeting between Nasser Bourita and Vladimir Voronkov to perpetuate Morocco’s close collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is also noteworthy. In short, Morocco’s participation in this week further strengthened its international diplomatic stature.
The momentum in favor of the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty was reinforced in New York. What is the UN waiting for to pass the final resolution on the Moroccan Sahara?
The best examples of growing support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan are the recognition of this initiative by major powers like the United States and France (two permanent members of the Security Council), which have officially acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. Other countries, such as Spain, Germany, and recently many Northern European countries, have expressed favorable positions towards the autonomy plan, viewing it as a realistic and lasting solution. In New York, these supports were reiterated, reinforcing the momentum around resolving this issue within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. The increasing number of consulates opened in Dakhla and Laâyoune by African and Arab countries also demonstrates this growing support.
In New York, Morocco called for prioritizing Africa when talking about the future. What is your analysis of this call?
Morocco emphasized that Africa must be a priority in global policies, particularly in terms of energy transition and sustainable development. The Kingdom made the continent's voice heard before the international community. This commitment is not new and takes many forms. It has been expressed notably through the Climate Commission for the Sahel Region, chaired by Morocco, which aims to accelerate the implementation of climate projects in this vulnerable region. The Kingdom has also proposed initiatives to enhance financial inclusion for African youth and women through partnerships such as the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development, which has already had tangible impacts on the ground across the continent.
Morocco also stood out with the international initiative launched by His Majesty the King to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic. What was the reaction to this initiative in New York?
The initiative to connect Sahel countries to the Atlantic, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aims to create an economic and logistical corridor facilitating trade between the interior of the continent and Moroccan Atlantic ports. A concrete example is the Dakhla Atlantic Port project, currently under development, which is expected to serve as a hub for African trade towards Europe and the Americas. This initiative garnered significant interest in New York, due to its potential to transform Sahelian economies and help combat illicit trafficking and instability in the region.
What meaning should be given to the "revitalized multilateralism" to which Morocco has called?
Morocco’s call for revitalized multilateralism is rooted in its diplomatic experience as an active member of several international bodies. The Kingdom is notably one of the top contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere, reflecting its commitment to global peace and security. Morocco also advocates for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to include more equitable representation of African countries. The organization of the African Climate Action Summit in 2022 in Marrakech is another example of its leading role in strengthening multilateral dialogue.
